Psychedelic drugs have been making a comeback in recent years, with stories emerging about the therapeutic benefits of compounds like psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD. Oregon and Colorado have taken the lead in legalizing the use of these substances for therapeutic purposes, with Oregon passing Measure 109 in 2020 and Colorado passing Proposition 122 in 2022.
Oregon’s Measure 109 allows for the supervised use of psilocybin by adults over the age of 21 without the need for a medical diagnosis. Psilocybin must be purchased through a state-licensed service center and ingested in the presence of a state-licensed facilitator. The facilitators do not require a specific medical background and must complete a 160-hour training program, which includes hands-on experience.
However, the primary issue with the Oregon model is the cost involved. The average journey can cost around $1,500, which includes fees for the facilitator, room, and psilocybin itself. Startup fees and high annual license fees contribute to the high costs, making it challenging for many consumers to access psilocybin therapy through legal channels.
Colorado’s Prop 122 takes a different approach, allowing for a tiered system of facilitator licensing and decriminalizing the possession, use, cultivation, and sharing of natural medicine for personal use. This could pave the way for the inclusion of other naturally derived psychedelic drugs in the future.
While Oregon and Colorado are leading the way in psychedelic legalization, other states are also considering similar programs. Bills have been proposed in California and Arizona, indicating bipartisan support for psychedelic legislation. The FDA has also granted breakthrough therapy status to multiple psychedelic drugs, which could accelerate the drug development and review process.
Large pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson are investing in psychedelic drug development, but smaller market disruptors like Compass and MindMed are also seeking FDA approval for their own patented formulations. The development of potentially FDA-approved psychedelics represents a parallel track to state-level legalization efforts.
Overall, the psychedelic renaissance is gaining momentum, with increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of these substances. While there may be challenges ahead in navigating the intersection of state-level legalization and FDA-approved drugs, the future of psychedelic therapy looks promising.
Benjamin Y. Fong, a Drug Researcher and Honors Faculty Fellow at Arizona State University, suggests that the conflict between state-level legalization and FDA-approved drugs may not come to a head for many years. The evolving landscape of psychedelic legislation and research continues to offer hope for those seeking alternative treatments for mental health conditions.
